Court

Five individuals placed in detention and two issued verbal warnings for standing on a sidewalk

On 23 January 2026, judges of the Tbilisi City Court found seven citizens liable for administrative offences in connection with standing on a sidewalk. Of these, five individuals (men) were sentenced to administrative detention, while two individuals (women) were issued verbal warnings, as follows:

Sandro Megrelishvili – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
Dimitri Jamburia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
Luka Nagliashvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
Mikheil Zakareishvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
Nukri Kakulia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua);
Ani Akhmeteli – verbal warning (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
Natia Chavchanidze – verbal warning (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua).

The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, by standing on the sidewalk, the individuals obstructed the movement of other citizens. This marked the first instance in which courts imposed administrative detention in proceedings related to the so-called “sidewalk cases.”

Another repressive legislative amendment restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly was adopted by the “Georgian Dream” party on 12 December 2025. The amendments were adopted following accelerated parliamentary consideration over a three-day period. As a result of these amendments, protest activity on sidewalks was effectively prohibited. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention for a term of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may give rise to criminal liability.

The first activist to be subjected to court proceedings following the adoption of the stricter legislation was Ani Akhmeteli, who was served with notice on 23 December. The first judicial decision in sidewalk-related cases was delivered on 22 January, when Judge Tornike Kapanadze found civil activist Rezi Dumbadze liable for an administrative offence and issued a verbal warning. In the assessment of Transparency International Georgia, “the detention of an individual for standing on a sidewalk, even under administrative procedure, let alone the imposition of criminal punishment cannot withstand legal scrutiny when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.”

A precedent has been established – civil activist Rezi Dumbadze found liable for standing on a sidewalk

On 22 January 2026, a precedent was established at the Tbilisi City Court, where the first ruling was delivered in the so-called “sidewalk case.” Judge Tornike Kapanadze found Rezi Dumbadze, a participant in pro-European demonstrations, liable for an administrative offence for standing on a sidewalk adjacent to the Parliament building and thereby “obstructing the movement of the public,” and issued a verbal warning as a sanction.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that Rezi Dumbadze committed the administrative offence on 17 December 2025. On 14 January, the protest participant was notified by the Tbilisi City Court that he was required to appear in connection with the alleged “blocking” of the sidewalk.

On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. The amendments were adopted following accelerated parliamentary consideration over a three-day period. As a result of these amendments, protest activity on sidewalks was, in effect, also prohibited. For a first violation, the legislation provides for administrative detention for a period of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may result in the imposition of criminal liability. According to the assessment of Transparency International Georgia, “the detention of an individual for standing on a sidewalk, even under administrative procedure, let alone the imposition of criminal punishment cannot withstand any criticism when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.”

Rezi Dumbadze is the first civil activist to have been found liable under the so-called “sidewalk” cases.

Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Administratively Detained Activist Isako Devidze

Criminal prosecution has been initiated against civic activist Isako Devidze, who was administratively detained pursuant to administrative proceedings. The information was made public by his sister, Mari Devidze. She reported that on the evening of 17 January, she contacted the temporary detention isolator for a routine family inquiry and was informed that the activist was no longer being held there. It later became known that Isako Devidze had been transferred to Gldani Penitentiary Establishment No. 8 without prior notification to his family.

According to the family, criminal proceedings against the activist have been initiated under Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which criminalizes contempt of court and provides for a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment.

Isako Devidze was administratively detained on 20 December 2025 during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue on the grounds of the alleged verbal insult of a police officer. On 22 December, Judge Zviad Tsekvava imposed 30 days of administrative detention. The term of administrative detention was set to expire on 19 January. Neither the family nor the defense counsel were informed that the court was considering the application of a preventive (custodial) measure in relation to Isako Devidze.

Criminal Investigation Initiated Against Civic Activist Davit Gagrel for Standing on a Sidewalk

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has initiated a criminal investigation against civic activist Davit Gagrel in connection with standing on a sidewalk. As reported by the activist on social media, the court informed him that the administrative proceedings instituted against him had been terminated and that the case materials were remitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs due to the presence of indicia of a criminal offense.

According to Davit Gagrel, the court indicated that the alleged act – obstructing pedestrians’ movement on a sidewalk on 18 December 2025 could not be assessed solely within the framework of administrative liability, as he had previously served detention under the same provision. On this basis, the administrative proceedings were discontinued and the case was referred to law enforcement authorities for criminal legal qualification.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleges that Davit Gagrel obstructed citizens’ movement in connection with a protest expressed on a sidewalk. On this basis, administrative proceedings have been instituted against protest participants since Georgian Dream adopted a further repressive legislative amendment restricting freedom of assembly on 12 December 2025, which in fact prohibited protests on sidewalks. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention of up to 15 days (up to 20 days for organizers), while a repeated violation may entail the imposition of criminal liability.

On the same legal grounds, the court has, to date, remitted the cases of five civic activists to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for further criminal-law assessment: Vazha Gaprindashvili, Giorgi Tsulaia, Ana Bdeiani, and father and son Kakha and Konstantine Mikaia. In total, six activists currently face the risk of criminal prosecution in connection with protests conducted on sidewalks.

Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Civic Activists, Father and Son Kakha and Konstantine Mikaia, for Standing on a Sidewalk

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has initiated criminal prosecution against civic activist Kakha Mikaia, a former member of the Political Council of Georgian Dream, and his son, Konstantine Mikaia, in connection with standing on a sidewalk. In an interview with TV Pirveli, Kakha Mikaia stated: “I received a decision stating that, following amendments to certain provisions of the Administrative Offences Code, the case has been transferred to criminal proceedings. This was expected from the current authorities.”

Father and son Kakha and Konstantine Mikaia are active participants in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue. Both had previously been subjected to administrative detention on the grounds of allegedly blocking a roadway. On 21 October 2025, Judge Nino Enukidze sentenced Kakha Mikaia, who had been detained during a protest on allegations of unlawfully blocking a roadway, to 14 days of administrative detention. On the same day, Konstantine Mikaia was also sentenced to 14 days of administrative detention. Prior to that, on 17 September 2025, Konstantine Mikaia had been detained for 10 days for non-payment of a fine.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been accusing individuals of obstructing citizens’ movement for protests expressed on sidewalks since Georgian Dream adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting freedom of assembly on 12 December 2025, which in fact banned protests on sidewalks. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention for up to 15 days (up to 20 days for organizers), while a repeated violation may give rise to criminal liability.

On the same grounds, the court has, to date, referred the cases of three civic activists to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for further action: Vazha Gaprindashvili, Giorgi Tsulaia, and Ana Bdeiani.

Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Civic Activist Ana Bdeiani for Standing on a Sidewalk

Tbilisi City Court Judge Tornike Kapanadze terminated the administrative proceedings instituted against civic activist Ana Bdeiani and referred the case materials to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for further action. According to lawyer Marika Arevadze, the judge noted in the reasoned decision that the case may contain elements of a criminal offense.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleges that Ana Bdeiani, a mother of three, artificially obstructed a sidewalk. The administrative offense report was issued pursuant to Article 174¹, Part 10 of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia. Ana Bdeiani had previously been subjected to administrative liability on 4 November 2025 on the grounds of the alleged artificial obstruction of a roadway.

Since Georgian Dream adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting freedom of assembly on 12 December 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been initiating proceedings against civic activists for obstructing citizens’ movement in connection with protests expressed on sidewalks, which the amended legislation in fact banned. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention for a term of up to 15 days (up to 20 days for organizers), while a repeated violation may give rise to criminal liability.

On the same grounds, the court has, to date, referred for further action to the Ministry of Internal Affairs the cases of two civic activists – Vazha Gaprindashvili and Giorgi Tsulaia.

Zugdidi District Court Imposes Administrative Fine of GEL 1,750 on Civic Activist Rostom Zarandia for Creating the “Megobari Act” Geoglyph

The Zugdidi District Court imposed an administrative fine of GEL 1,750 on Zugdidi-based civic activist and street artist Rostom Zarandia for creating the “Megobari Act” geoglyph, following an administrative complaint lodged by the Environmental Supervision Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection.

The “Megobari Act” geoglyph is a 380-meter-long inscription created on agricultural land in western Georgia, near the coastal town of Anaklia. According to the activist’s explanation, the geoglyph was intended to draw the attention of the local and international public to the significance for Georgia of the “Megobari Act,” which has been initiated in the Senate. In connection with the same geoglyph, Rostom Zarandia had previously been subjected to an administrative fine of GEL 2,000 imposed by the Zugdidi City Hall.

Tbilisi City Court Rules Against Ousted Public Broadcaster Journalist Nino Zautashvili

Tbilisi City Court Judge Ekaterine Eliadze has dismissed the lawsuit filed against the Public Broadcaster by Nino Zautashvili, a journalist and presenter who was fired from the channel.

According to Zautashvili’s lawyer, Giorgi Iasashvili, they were seeking to have the dismissal order annulled and for her to be reinstated to her position.

“I know I will see this case through to the end, and I won’t begrudge the time or energy it takes. I know for a fact that I am right, and the judge knew the truth was on my side as well. In these incredibly difficult times, when so many unjust decisions have been made, the primary and most vital task remains ensuring the institutional independence of the judiciary,” Nino Zautashvili told Mediachecker.

The Tbilisi City Court also dismissed a lawsuit filed by Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, a former presenter for the news program Moambe, who was also seeking to overturn his dismissal from the Public Broadcaster. This decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeals.

The Public Broadcaster dismissed Nino Zautashvili, the host of the program Real Space, along with Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, on April 11, 2025.

Journalists’ Accounts Frozen Without Prior Notice of Fines

On April 15, according to TV Pirveli, the bank accounts of Maka Chikhladze, a journalist for the channel’s Saturday broadcast, were frozen. On social media, Irakli Datunashvili (known online as Leo Nafta), the Georgia editor for the online publication JamNews, also wrote that his bank accounts had been frozen. According to his information, the basis for the freeze is cited as a fine from October 15, the existence of which he had not been informed of until now.

According to Nodar Meladze, head of the news service, Maka Chikhladze was covering ongoing events on Rustaveli Avenue in the line of professional duty on October 15, 2025, which led to her being fined 5,000 GEL on charges of “artificially blocking the road.” He stated that the journalist was not notified of this fine and subsequently had her accounts frozen.

Maka Chikhladze herself states that she only learned about the existence of the fine after her accounts were frozen.

“In such a large agency as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they couldn’t find the resources to send me a single SMS… if they had simply notified me that I had been fined, I would have looked into it and proven that I was performing my professional duties. I didn’t know about it until my accounts were frozen,” Chikhladze said.

In her assessment, the case may be related to her journalistic activities. “I believe this is an act of revenge and has nothing to do with the law on assembly and manifestation or any actual violation,” she noted. Chikhladze also points out that representatives of other media outlets were also working at the scene, yet she was the only one targeted with a fine.

On December 7, 2024, on Besiki Street in Tbilisi, TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli were attacked and physically assaulted by unidentified masked individuals while working on a live broadcast. The investigation launched into that incident has not yet been concluded.

TV Formula Journalist Liza Tsitsishvili’s Accounts Frozen

The bank accounts of TV Formula journalist Liza Tsitsishvili have been frozen. According to the journalist, it was discovered that she had been fined 5,000 GEL on the grounds of “artificially blocking the road” while performing her professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue on September 10, 2025.

The journalist had not received any notice regarding the fine. Furthermore, she states that since September, she has been detained once and has even crossed the national border, yet in neither instance was she informed that she had been fined.

According to publicly available information, more than 40 fines have been issued against journalists for “artificially blocking the road” between October 26, 2024, and the present day.